714 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. [Vol.35 



conditions. When tlie fermentation was complete nutrient gelatin was inocu- 

 lated with the various fermented juices. 



From the aorobic fermentations three organisms, which have been designated 

 as a, b, and c, were isolated, and from the anaerobic fermentation the organ- 

 isms a and c and another predominating form (d). In further experiments 

 sterilized pineapple juice was inoculated with the various organisms isolated, 

 and the speed and character of the fermentations observed. 



The cultural and morphological characteristics of the organism d are de- 

 scribed. Both it and the organism b belong to the genus Saccharomyces. The 

 organisms a and c seem to be intermediate between the Mycoderma and the 

 Torula. 



The nature of the acid-soluble phosphorus of serum, I. Gkeenwald (Jour. 

 Biol. Chem., 25 {1916), No. S, pp. 45i-4S5).— Experimental data submitted indi- 

 cate that the phosphorus compounds of serum consist almost exclusively of 

 phospholipins and inorganic phosphate. The presence of a form which is 

 insoluble in dilute acids but is not precipitated by magnesia mixture or 

 molybdate solution was also indicated. This latter does not dialyze readily 

 from the serum. 



Factors influencing the lime and magnesia requirements of soils. A 

 method for the determination of the immediate lime requirements, W. H. 

 MacIntire {Tennessee Sta. Bui. 115 {1916), pp. 5-^8, figs. 2). — A restatement 

 and discussion of some of the data previously reported (E. S. R., 31, p. 815), 

 with the addition of new material. 



Analytical results secured in the determination of residual carbonates demon- 

 strate the existence of a long-continued reaction between soils and carbonates. 

 Such data emphasize the necessity of defining more specifically the term " lime 

 requirement," and appear to necessitate a differentiation between temporary 

 or immediate lime requirement and the continued propensity of a soil to decom- 

 pose calcium carbonate when it continues in contact with excess carbonates. 

 Whether the lime requirement of a soil should be considered as its maximum 

 coefficient of calcium carbonate decomposition under laboratory conditions in a 

 given time, or whether it should be considered as the amount of lime essential 

 to maximum crop respon.se for a definite period after treatment is an undecided 

 question. " The feasible procedure would be to determine a method which would 

 affect the maximum decomposition of CaCOa by its contact with the acid-reacting 

 soil constituents under well-controlled laboratory conditions, and then, if possi- 

 ble, to establish a relationship between this maximum decomposition and 

 practice." 



Results from laboratory experiments on the decomposition of earth carbonates 

 by sterile alkaline soils agree with the observations of Morse and Curry (E. S. 

 R., 21, p. 713). Silicic acid was found to be a considerably stronger acid in its 

 action on carbonates than has been hitherto supposed. " Where lime is added in 

 amounts sufficient both to meet lime requirements and to insure an excess of 

 carbonate, which would be the more subject to action of carbonated water, any 

 calcium silicate resulting from treatment would probably remain largely as 

 such. However, in presence of carbonated water the lime-silica reaction is 

 readily reversed." Further observations show that the reaction between mag- 

 nesium carbonate and silica and siliceous compounds is more extensive than that 

 between these substances and calcium carbonate. The re'wersal of the magnesia- 

 silica reaction through hydrolysis in the presence of carbon dioxid in solution 

 was found to be correspondingly more difficult than that of the lime-silica com- 

 pounds. 



Further data presented demonstrate "that after the elimination of biological 

 Influences and the removal of organic and inorganic colloidal matter, we secure 



